MotoGP news

Hayden disappointed at back of the field

It has been a difficult season for Ducati rider Nicky Hayden so far. Having scored just 26 points and a P8 as best finish at last week's Dutch Grand Prix the American is in a position where a former MotoGP champion doesn't belong. In Friday's free practice session Hayden didn't get much further than a P14 while team-mate Stoner ended third.

"We're near the back again so that's not cool and not what I was hoping for," Hayden said after Friday's free practice at Laguna Seca. "In some places the bike feels quite good but in other places, coming out of the corners, it feels pretty flat and I don't have enough acceleration. Usually this is a strong point of the Ducati so it's a little strange so we'll have a look at the mapping and see if we can figure out the problem tonight. Normally around here you have a lot of wheelies and I don't have any so it's obviously something we need to put right.

"I've got a new helmet design here for the 4th July. It is tradition to let off fireworks here so that is the basis of the design, although on the track we haven't let anything go yet! Hopefully we can get a better direction with the engine tomorrow and find some spark!"

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• 22 Oct.
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